Paint can accessory



June 11, 1935. J. w. KENT; ET AL PAINT CAN ACCESSORY Filed July 15, 1935 JAME W. AE/VT 54 MERE/ 5 r5 R5 A TOR/V5).

Patented June 11, 1935 x T wa UNITED STATES PAT QF 1 2,004,285

' rm'r can socnssonr James w. Kent, Brooklyn, and, Elmer r; Peters,

BichmondliillyN. Y.

Application July 15, ms, Neesoses 2 Claims. (01. 220-90) This invention relates to a device to be used in connection with the ordinary standard commercial can of prepared paint or other content. The device is in the nature of a paint can attachment, so to speak, adapted to be attached features such as hereinafter described and asillustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device. Figs. 2 and 3 show modifications. Fig. 4 illustrates the use of the device.

Fig. 5 illustrates the manner of attaching the device shown in Figure 3.

Fig. 6 shows how the device may be used as a sealing means.

Fig. 7 shows a still further modification. In its simplest form the device consists of a bar long enough-to reach diametrically across a paint can. The ends of the bar are bent downward to form legs ending in suitable feet or can engaging members which either engage the sides of the can frictionally or which may more particularly engage the bearings of the bail on larger size cans.

In either of the foregoing named cases the cross bar may be crimped or bent to correspond to the shape of the top of the can so as to be more permanently attached and serve as a sealing means or additional safety device to prevent accidental removal of the top of the can. Referring now' to Figure 7 the device consists of a bar I0 having two parallel legs H the ends of whichare bent, formed or shaped to provide can body engaging feet or members l2.-

Such a device may be made inexpensively of suitable wire- The length of the bar III is such that it will reach diametrically across a paint can according to the size thereof. In use the device will be placed on the open can so that the bar will rest on the edges of the can and the legs will extend downward, the feet engaging the sides-of the can circumferentially. If necessary the legs may be bent slightly inward for better engagement with the can as will be undermade from thin fiat metal or suitable wire matestood. The bar will then be positioned as shown in Figure 4 and may then obviously be used as a brush rest and scraper to remove surplus paint from the brush after it has been dipped in the paint. Inasmuch as the bar is very thin,'very little paint will adhere to it but will run down back into the can. This is an obvious advantage over the present practice when the paint brush is scraped against the edge of the can in which case much paint adheres to the inside of the sides of the can and is wasted. It

also provides a more cleanly mode of operation. The device is easily removed when the can is open space [9 between the loops and the legs I 4 affords a means for passing the loops inside the ball.

The modification shown in Figure 2 may be used with advantage in cases where the hail of the can may be temporarily removed by springing the bail ends outward from the bearings. In this case the loops 2!! on the ends of the legs 2|. are simply pushed in over the bearings and the bail may then be replaced. -In Figures 1, 2 and 3 the device is shown as being made of a thin fiat metal strip, but wire niaterial may of course be used also. 1 E

The device in Figure 3 compi isesa bar 23, legs 24 and looped feet 25. 26 designates a slot which extends from the one loop to the other loop. In cases where the can bail-can .not be removed this device may be attached as shown in Figure 5 by raising the bail'so that it will extend upwardly through the said slot 26, after which the device is pushed down on top of the can and the loops pressed inward over the bail bearings.

In Figure 6 the bar 30 has legs 3| and looped feet 32. The bar is made longer than the diameter of the can so that, after the device is placed on the can, the bar may be crimped' or bent as at 3 5 so as to draw the legs against the sides of the can while at the same time the bend 35 is pressed downward to engage the usual groove 36 provided in friction can tops 31 and thus holds the latter against accidental removal during handling and shipping. The device being rial is pliable or flexible enough to permit such bending engagement with the top and the edges of the can and to allow for an outward bend ing of the legs to detach the device and remove the top. Thereafter the device is attached for use as explained in the foregoing.

The device may be made of any suitable fiat or wire material of such size, strength, dimension and pliability and flexibility so as to function as described. In all cases the device is attached relatively permanently to an open can to serve as a paint brush rest and scraper.

It should also be noted in particular in connection with the form shown in Figure 7 that the leg portions of the device may be shortened materially to an extent where it may be said that they are practically eliminated. However,

such change and other changes are Within the scope of the contemplated construction of the device and intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:-

21, An article as described comprising a bar adapted to be placed diametrica ly on top of an open can above the capacity contents of the can, said can having a bail secured in bail bearlugs, and means at the ends of asid bar adapted to engage the said bail bearings for securing the bar to the can.

2. An article as described comprising a horizontal bar member and a depending leg member at each end of the bar member, all of said members being slotted throughout their lengths, said leg members terminating in loops communicating with the slot in the said bar leg members.

JAMES W. KENT. ELMER P. PETERS. 

